Prep football: Warriors hoping to break even on the 2011 campaign

October 27, 2011

Warren needs a win over the visiting Philip Barbour Colts at 7:30 p.m. Friday to break even this season.

The Andy Schob-coached Warriors football team (4-5 overall, 2-3 Southeastern Ohio Athletic League) was also 5-5 in 2010.

"This is a special night for our seniors," Schob said. "It is their last game as a Warren Warrior, and we want their career to have a great ending. It is also the start of the future for many other players, and we want to have this game to build on."

Philip Barbour (3-5), a Class AA school located in Philippi, W.Va. (near Clarksburg), needs to beat both Warren and Tucker County of W.Va. the following week to avoid a losing campaign.

Going into this Friday's contest, Curtis Bodkins-coached Philip Barbour has won two in row and three of its last four games since kicking off the season 0-4.

Philip Barbour is quarterbacked by sophomore Dillon Newman. His backup is Jordan Simmons.

"They will run the spread and their QB is a threat to both run and pass," Schob said.

The Colts have a good receiving corps in Drea Johnson, Robbie Akers, Corey Cox, Jacob McCauley and Simmons.

"Drea Johnson is their go-to WR and is very athletic," Schob said.

The Philip Barbour signal caller, though, figures to be handing off to 5-foot-8, 188-pound senior tailback Anick Kennedy a lot. Last year, he rushed for 900 yards in nine games last season.

Tyler Schiefelbein is the team's kicker and punter - and he's one of the best in W.Va. Before this campaign kicked off, he was named to the Ray Guy preseason watch list.

Since defeating Logan 40-34 in double overtime on Oct. 7, Warren has struggled on the gridiron, dropping two straight to underdog Chillicothe (15-13) two weeks ago and to Gallia Academy (27-13) last Friday night.

"Gallia had the best offensive and defensive line we have faced all season, and probably the second best team (behind Jackson)," Schob said. "I was happy with the way our kids battled the entire game.

"Gallia had not given up more than 15 points all season, and only gave up six to Ironton. We scored 13 points and had two more touchdowns called back."

The Warriors need to get a lead, because they haven't had one for eight consecutive quarters.

Warren is quarterbacked by Dylan Leffingwell, whose primary receiver is Jeremy Fivecoait. Josh Mays and Jeremy Hastie are the team's top ground-gainers.

"We need to be focused, come ready to play, and make sure we give our best effort for our seniors that have given so much to our program, school and community," Schob said.